TDAmeritrade Reduced Commissions, Part I

$2 OFF COMMISSION

I finally got a response from TDAmeritrade.  I will post what went down so you guys know how to get a discount next time. Take note that I have used them for almost one year before asking. I have traded a good amount over that time as well.

 

Mentioning that you are planning to switch brokers helps.

At this point, they did not respond for at least 10 business days and a phone call. Today, the 11th day, they finally respond with this.

$2 off what I use and a bunch of discounts on other stuff that I do not use.

I plan on continuing this conversation and getting a better price. If not, then I will try again next year. I suggest that everyone does this after a year, if they have already not. 

Go to TDAmeritrade Reduced Commissions Part 2

R&R: 1/29/15

TICKER: EXEL

What a day it was. Today was my first day shorting after joining SureTrader and it was an awesome experience. My first short was on EXEL and it was such a mess. I lost my money overall and made some horrible mistakes. However, it was just a warm up for my second trade. Hopefully I get better over time. 

Looking at this chart, there were two options. It would either break $2.08 and just shoot up strong or it would go over and under that amount and just turn red just like how it did in its pastimes. So, I was looking to short over and under $2.08.

It went straight down so I became patient. I really screwed it up though by panicking too early and fell into a bear trap. I shorted @ $2.02 after its first lower high thinking that it was definitely going down, but encountered a slow grinding action upwards. After the second lower high, I was sure and shorted some more @ $2.00. However, I thought I saw higher highs and it going from red to green and covered @ $2.04 for a small loss. I was stupid and did not let it test the previous highs and just covered. After an awesome conversation with SureTrader, I shorted more @ $1.95 and hoped for a flush which did happen. However, I was looking into a one day swing and just disregarded it. I did not notice its previous history and almost got squeezed.

Note: Remember to take a look at the history of the chart to see if it has any special characteristics like closing strong. It could make you want to short with a shorter time frame in mind. VinnyB reminded me what over/under meant so that is useful. If a stock does not keep up with the support after breakout, then it is most likely fake. 

Note: Remember to take profits when you are up. You can always re-short later. I need to either work on swinging or daytrading.

TICKER: GENE

It was my first time shorting something this big. I made a lot of mistakes and only hope to get better as time goes on.

I really wanted to buy in earlier, but I missed a lot of bearish signals and cues. It was moving so fast that I didn't even know what to think. So I purchased in @ $4.25 after a triple top and I noticed lower highs on consolidation. I covered as soon as it hit the bottom of the channel. I re-shorted $3.90 because I thought it was going over and under $3.80 and it would just break, but covered @ $3.85. After the lower high, I was trying to sell out of my EXEL position and got distracted. I immediately waited for it to re-test the resistance and shorted for an average of $3.75.

Note: It formed a a descending wedge and although it looked weak, this thing could have squeezed tomorrow. Next time I plan holding something overnight, I need to put in a smaller size. My plan for tomorrow is to sell out immediately in the morning if it is strong and re-short when it is at its highs. 

Note: I need to take smaller positions for holding overnight and I need to work on the differences between swinging and daytrading. I need to figure out the fine line and how I will play each stock.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Review: 01/28/2015

Ticker: VMEM

Loss: $0.04 a share. Total: -$18.10 with commissions

It formed an indeterminate bar today so I have lost total trust in it. 

I can't trust this chart anymore. After a lower low and lower high yesterday, I was still anticipating for this chart to bounce upwards. It did this morning when it opened @ $4.30, but it just went below yesterday's low. I waited for it to rebound to sell and saw the ascending triangle. Since today was a weak day, I should have sold immediately into the pop. 

Note: Sell earlier while in profit. You can always buy back in. Need to form new strategy to keep profits and notice shortcomings earlier. 

Note: If you are selling to get out. If the chart is weak for the day and there is a bullish signal forming, get out during the first pop. Since it is a weak day, you will not get much out of it. Notice the volume.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Review: 01/26/15

Ticker: VPOR

Another failed attempt trying to trade this damn stock. I think I should just stop trying until I see a better setup. This is a stock that cannot be trusted at all. TDAmeritrade's fees do not help either. 

Links

Purchase  - I purchased too late and it resulted in a partial fill. 

Adding In - I added in too early and did not look at the history. 

Note: I should not have ordered it 5 minutes before market closed because of liquidity. I was partially filled and the market closed leaving me with an addition $10 fee if I wanted to buy again. I added in at the next morning, because I was anxious and was not patient for it to test the previous resistance @ $0.0026. 

I noticed that this chart was basing and formed a higher low. I didn't trust it anymore and coupled with the LVL2 info, I immediately sold out @ $0.0022.

Note: Notice how the previous day did not close strong. That was the indicator to buy or not. Because I was stupid and anxious, I bought in the morning instead of the afternoon. I also noticed the history of cthe chart too late because it does this quite often.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Recap: 01/23/15

Ticker: VMEM

So I added to my original position @ $4.28 in anticipation for a $4.29 break. I think I should have waited a little longer for more higher lows.  My stop for a swing play would be low of day @ $4.18 or if it looked weak and broke downwards of the channel. 

Note: Always remember to look at the chart history to see how it plays throughout the day. It would give you an indication of how long to wait instead of just blindly guessing.

Ticker: VPOR

I was an idiot and bought into it too early with my full position. I forgot to follow my advice on how to let it wait to break the resistance before buying. I was just distracted and it just fell into my limit buy. Even though it was negative for the day, it did create a higher high and higher low. I like the way it ended with an ascending triangle as well. 

Note: I am going to say it again and that is to wait for it to break the resistance before buying. I have to keep reminding myself that. Today, I made a foolish move because I did see how it was moving and I still chose to buy it. In these cases, I feel I should sell in the morning and buy in the afternoon. 

Note: Open until 10:00 is for selling. 10:00-12:00 is for pattern checking. 12:00-13:00 is for buying lows. 15:00 is for buying dips. and 15:30-16:00 is to buy in anticipation for a breakout.  This doesn't work for everything, but it works for some.

Prediction: Although there is an ascending triangle towards the end of today. I am pessimistic about this chart because of how it ended for the day. I feel like it might have a push upwards in the morning, but will just be down for the day on Monday. I need to get the fuck out.  

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Recap: 01/22/15

Ticker: VMEM

I snagged this at the high @ $4.20 toward the end of days. The last bar held a higher low and ended on a solid note. I think it is a good signal for this chart to reverse. The only reason I got it that high was because I missed my initial entry and it just moved way too fast. I should have just held off and bought it tomorrow. My stop will be below today's low.

Note: If it is moving too fast upwards, wait for the next day or take a smaller position to compensate. I will buy more tomorrow as long as it does not go below today's lows.

Ticker: VPOR

I got this at $0.0024, but I ordered too late and only got filled partially. I plan on getting full size early tomorrow and selling it towards the middle of the day. 

Note: I wish I got filled fully. I have to buy at least 5 minutes prior of market closing to be safe. If I buy too late, there is a bigger risk that I will not get filled.

Note: I wish TDAmeritrade responded to me about my fee reduction request. At least then, I would not have to pay so much even if I get partially filled.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic. 

Review: 01/15/15

Ticker: MINE

I only had one play today and that was MINE. I might have focused too much on it, but I had no other cash to play with. I sold higher than I bought, but I wanted it to go higher. I think I should have waited one more day, but I just didn't want to risk it given the experience I had with this one.

MINE gapped up a little this morning and broke the previous high. I was interested because I knew there was some volume with this. My plan was to sell out @ $0.011.

Look at this volume compared to ATEN. This us the type of volume I should expect for a nice continuation. I wanted to get in to test the water. I think I went in my 1st entry too early and should have waited it to retrace after it met the $0.0097 resistance. I should have waited for it to retrace and let it grind out before buying in.

Note: Remember about previous resistance and wait for it to test it. If it breaks it freely, buy in. If not, see if it holds support. 

I waited for a while and switched to 15 minute charts because it was just channeling. When I noticed its first lower low and lower high, I just got out before a small flush. To my surprise, I also caught a glimpse at the Level2 just being stagnant. I knew it was time to leave. I didn't trust this chart.

Note: I would have bought in if it broke $0.01 again, but I didn't have enough money. Maybe instead of selling everything, I should have just partially sold out so I had lower risk. It's just that my TDAmeritrades fees are so high, so it's just not worth it.

Prediction: I think it will run up to $0.011+ tomorrow before it just breaks down.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Review: 01/14/15

Ticker: MCZ

My average cost was $0.45, but I was down a cent on this one. My entry was here and it was okay, if I recognized my stupidity. A cent loss, but $30.00 in commission.

I should have noticed the lack of volume and trend change January 9th. It looked like it retraced yesterday, January 13th, but I should have also noticed it closing below the previous high and current open. This was a definite sell and I was a few days late.

Note: I am cleaning house right now and will be starting over soon with a new brokers account. I am trying to get a fee reduction with TDAmeritrade and will let you guys know how it goes.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Review: 01/13/2015

Ticker: ATEN

I was lucky I was able to sell today. It was my fault that I purchased with unsettled funds and I hope I do not do that again. This was a 37 cent loss. You can read why I purchased this stock in the first place here.

So I wasn't around in the morning and when I got back, I wanted to sell as high as possible. I sold out within the channel as it could not break the resistance at $5.12. I realized that this stock was going downhill so I better get out while I could.  The lesson here is, when a stock is on a downtrend, don't be optimistic and don't fight it. I could have lost a lot more if I held on. Luckily, I didn't.

Note: I have realized a pattern with how a bar closes. It seems like if it is above the previous high, it is likely that it will continue the next day. If not, then it may be done. I need to examine this pattern more. I also have to pay attention with volume before I buy things.

Ticker: DCA

I sold for 2 cents higher, but I could have done a better job with this stock. I was stubborn and paid the price once again.

I should have noticed that the closing price was lower on 01/09/15 and that it made a lower high and lower low the next day. This was stupid on my part, so I lost out. The stock looked very good this morning until it plunged straight down. I was warned 4 days ago, so I think I might be blind.

Note: Take a look at today's and yesterday's closing price. Also take a look at volume to give you signals of when to get out. At the end, the decision is yours, but these signals should not be taken for granted. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic. 

Recap: 01/12/14

Ticker: ATEN

What happened? My stop was at $5.36. Why didn't I sell out? That's a good question because the answer is that I fucked up. This is not the first time, but I hope it is the last.  The reason why I couldn't stop out was because I couldn't make an order. I purchased with unsettled cash and now I will be burned.

Note: I got very emotional after my lost trade with BIND, so I purchased this stock just so I can get back the money I lost. Sure, it had potential, but I should have waited until my cash was settled before taking a position. Settled cash is the safest way to go, because I using it lets me get out any time. Unsettled cash is a lot more risker and it is not worth that risk for the potential reward, as you can see today. I have never been successful using unsettled cash, so I will officially stop now. My emotions have led me to horrible results. I must stop trading with emotions before things get fatal. 

Note: I have been making some stupid moves and it's been losing me money. I will probably reset my accounts this week and take a break before trading again.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic. 

Recap: 01/09/2014

Ticker: ATEN

I saw this chart on scan and thought it could run to at least $6.00, so I took it as a swing.

Took my entry in the morning @ $5.45. I was stupid because I did not notice the amount of volume this thing had. There  was no way this thing could push higher. My stop was low of day so I waited until it formed an ascending triangle. However, it just faked the bulls out and fell. I still think this thing is primed to run once it gets some volume so I will be patient. My stop is below low of day @ $5.37.

Note: Remember to always look at the volume before buying in for a gap play. It has a large influence on how the chart could perform. If I had noticed, I would not have purchased the stock at almost its highest point. If the volume is high and the stock is popping, it is okay to buy at market. If it is low like this, try to be more patient and wait for it to retrace.

Note: Did you notice that huge volume spike at 11:00AM? It is very strange and saved this stock from going all the way down.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.  

Review: 01/08/2015

Ticker: BIND

 

       

I screwed up pretty bad on this trade and turned a winner to a complete loser. I was notified by GSP in the chatroom at around 9:38am about the gap and it broke the first 2 minute highs and ran. It ran too fast for me, so I waited for a retrace before buying in. GSP got in @ $7.50 which demonstrates the power of doing homework which, I didn't.

Take a look at this chart. When it broke out of the prior resistance @ $8.45, it seriously looked like it could go to the moon. The orange arrow was when I took my entry. This chart shows why I wanted to take it. My plan was to get out at the top resistance @ $10.75 or high $10s.

GSP made the call at around open, but it was way too fast for me. So I waited for a retrace. He ended up scaling out towards $10 while I foolishly held. Now looking back, I should have BOT partial positions at around $8.62 which was the support and then went full once it broke the second lower high after its first move. My entry was @ $9.20 as soon as it broke the lower high after its first leg up. My stop here was $8.44 and at this point, I thought this stock could just go up the high 10s. So my target was around $10.75.

So it ripped up higher and I got greedy. I didn't sell out because I thought I didn't make enough profit. I did not change my stop because I was too confident. At 11am, it was keeping a uptrend line so I just held it. When it ripped higher, I thought I was safe, but it just collapsed down. I ignored the every bearish sign in hopes of it bouncing back and I got burned hard. I also got a warning from VinnyB at around 11:45AM warning me about this stock, but I was too stupid to listen. When it collapsed at around $12, my stop didn't trigger, I had enough and marketed out @ $8.34.

Note: This shows the power of greed and how $0.80 gain turned into $1.03 loss. I let some rules slip by and I paid the price heavily. Some things to take from this is to take profits when up because you can always buy in lower. I couldn't have because of my broker, but it is still a lesson to keep note.

Ticker: MELY

So, this is a stock I was waiting to sell for a long time. I was lucky that it got out of $0.0001 state, but I was stupid not to realize the amount of potential it had. One lesson I learned from this is if you are up 100%, you fucking sell. 

I original purchased this stock thinking that it might just tick to $0.0002 the next day since the Level2 looked nice. The only problem was, the only market maker left in the ask was VFIN or VNDM with only 10k. I bought on December 18th @ 0.0001. I waited nearly a month for the volume to pick up for 100% gain. The trouble was, when I was waiting, I was stubborn about my limit and wanted to sell at $0.0003. However, it was this when I remembered how illiquid pennies could be and $0.0002 was 100%. So, I realized that any stock that goes above 100%, I should just sell immediately before greed kicks in. Also, if I sold, I could always buy back. 

Note: I was stupid for buying so early. I should have waited and let my money go elsewhere. However, I did learn how to play these kinds of charts. One just has to be patient and read the volume. As you can see, volume picked up to above 200 million at around January 5th and the pressure kept coming until it broke though today. When volume is that high, it means something is definitely going on with the stock, especially at $0.0001. I couldn't play because my money was tied elsewhere, but if it was free, I could have made 100% for nothing. I will keep watch for these kinds of stocks.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic. 

Recap: 01/07/2014

Ticker: MCZ

I BOT a small position @ $0.44 to mark this stock because it broke both its channel and first downtrend line. Level2 also shows good support  @ $0.43. I will take a full position size @ $0.45 if it breaks the second downtrend line and will be aiming to sell out @ $0.47-$0.50. Stop @ $0.42.

Note: I think I should have waited until end of day to confirm if it holds. The volume is low, so I may have made a mistake here.

Ticker: DCA

I joined the bid @ $4.36 and got it. After seeing similar previous moves before, I decided to take this for a swing. My ultimate target is for a double top @ $4.63, but I will probably sell partial on its way up. My stop is below low of day which is @ $4.32.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic. 

Review: 01/06/2015

Ticker: SCRC

 

This was my first trade of the new year. It was a stock VinnyB recommended in the morning at 11:30am on 1/05/2015.

I took the trade because it broke through previous resistance @ $0.17. I thought it had potential to make a move like it did in February. I wanted to sell out around $0.19-$0.20.

I BOT @ $0.1775 because it broke $0.177 which was the intraday's resistance. Since I wanted to swing it for the next day, I think I should have waited a little longer to make sure it didn't fall right back down. As long as it stayed about $0.17, it was a buy.

I SOLD @ $0.1925 because I thought the move was over based on volume and L2s, which it was. My mistake here was just focusing on the 5 minute charts. If I saw the big picture on the 15 minute, I would have known that it had another shot up. I got out because I didn't want it fading on me.

Predictions for tomorrow: I think this chart will hit $0.20 and maybe even higher tomorrow morning. This is because it stayed above yesterday's high with good volume. After that, this chart is already overextended so I am expecting a flush once it hits next resistance. I wish I could short it.

Please let me know if you have any comments or opinions. I would like to know if you have spotted any mistakes in my logic.

Watchlist: 01/02/2015

XCO: There will be profit takers out of the gate. It would be a good time to buy after bottom is found. $2.10 is the support, see if it holds there. If it breaks, reconsider swing and play day. Another good time to buy is if it breaks and holds $2.17. Swing and look to sell at $2.45s. Stop out @ $2.01 which is yesterday’s low. 9 cent risk.

NDRM: This will drop like a fly when market opens. SSR restriction and a huge panic. I think it will washup and retrace back up. Look for an absolute bottom and a channel and set your risk off there. Buy between $12 and $13.16. Sell @ $15.19 range. Stop below $12.  

DAKP: Buy partial if it breaks downtrend line or makes a higher low. Buy rest if it breaks 2. Hold for a swing until $2.10 until $2.30s. Watch for break at $1.80 and check what it does there. If it stays on good volume, buy in partial and wait to buy in @ $2.00 for rest. Stop below $1.62. 18 cent risk.

SDR: This chart looks great for bounce. People are looking to sell off in the morning. Look for $3.90 support to break and go for $3.83. Wait for it to drop and form a second high. Buy partial here. If it surges up and breaks $3.97 and holds. Go all in for swing. Stop below $3.83.

KRED: Morning. If it goes down parabolic. Be ready to buy bounce. 

No pictures. Too lazy.